Exclusive: Atrix 4G Bootloader Unlocked with Android 2.3 Update

Alert the developers! Unlocked bootloaders are coming! Motorola’s received quite a bit of pressure regarding their locked bootloaders on most Motorola Blur-enabled Android devices. These bootloaders prevent individual users from modifying and creating their own custom kernels, which means they also prevent the creation of true custom ROMs.

But, Motorola’s opened up to the external developers of the Android world. They recently vowed to make phones with unlockable bootloaders available in the third and fourth quarters of the year. Little did we know that Motorola would take steps to retroactively unlock previously released devices, too!

Today, we confirmed that the leaked early builds of Gingerbread (Android 2.3.3) for the Motorola Atrix 4G will, in fact, allow users to unlock their bootloaders using the traditional command: “fastboot oem unlock.”

News of the unlock came today after a Motorola forums member posted a hint about the bootloader in the Motorola forums. It was officially redacted, but eval- over at XDA-Developers decided to look through a leaked Chinese SBF file’s contents and found that the unlock would be possible. From there, we tried it on our AT&T Gingerbread leak.

This unlock means that custom kernels and full custom ROMs will be totally available once Gingerbread is launched for the Atrix 4G. Right now, we can confirm that at least the Chinese Atrix variant and the AT&T Atrix 4G model will allow these unlockable bootloaders. We won’t be surprised when Gingerbread brings unlock-ability to Bell and other world carriers, too. Hit the “read more” button to see pictures and video after the break.Pictures

Motorola Atrix 4G Unlocked Bootloader

Video

Sorry for the extremely blurry video. We’ll work on a new one as soon as possible.

Probably has to do with the red letters that says Unlocking the device may void your warranty. However, I’d assume it would only void it if you bricked it after unlocking it. Not for say a button failure or whatever.

Ken you have personally kept the Atrix forums calm and quiet about the release of Gingerbread with your early previews and your hacking and cracking knowledge. Your a link between NooBs and Dev’s, always filling in the blanks and thus getting your hands on some awesome stuff before the rest of us. Keep up the good work!